Blog posts from November2013

Writing a Ceremony November 29, 2013

Filed under: Celebrant, Readings

When designing a ceremony for a wedding, a vow renewal, a baby naming, or a funeral, I always start with a blank sheet of paper.  Always.   Not everyone does – Registrars don’t, and priests don’t.  They have set texts and formulaic layouts and every ceremony follows the same pattern.  You can’t change it round, you […]


Wedding Venue – Loyd Lindsay Rooms November 14, 2013

Filed under: General, Vow Renewal, Wedding Venues, Weddings

Wanting a different wedding venue?  I had the pleasure recently of visiting the Loyd Lindsay Rooms near Wantage in the pretty village of Ardington, Oxfordshire.  This unique venue is in a perfect location: rural, bucolic, yet only minutes from the A34 and the M4.  The cities of Oxford, Swindon and Newbury are all within easy […]


Autumn – a time of beauty in loss and renewal November 13, 2013

Filed under: Celebrant, Funerals, Symbolism

Autumn….   So full of metaphor, which gives me inspiration when I am writing funeral ceremonies.   I know the fog of grief that descends can make it can seem as though – just like when we lose a loved one – everything is shutting down: the long hours of darkness, leaves falling, birds migrating, blossom all but disappeared, there […]


Funeral Celebrant – my promise to you November 11, 2013

Filed under: Celebrant, Eulogy, Funerals

The Cherish Pledge   As a trained and responsible Funeral Celebrant, I promise that:   I will make contact with the deceased’s next of kin as soon as possible and practicable I will visit the next of kin at their home (or other location) to discuss the funeral ceremony I will make no distinction on […]


Writing a Wedding Speech? November 6, 2013

Filed under: Speech, Vow Renewal, Weddings

There are some traditions that are part of every wedding. The vows, the dress, the cake, the speeches…. Oh the speeches! Public speaking is ranked right up there with torture as a fear inducing thing to be endured. And that fear is often down to lack of confidence in your material. There are some easy […]